April 2, 2013

A 58-year-old man from Marina Del Rey, Calif., reported the shark that attacked him had a head "the size of a basketball," according to an updated Maui County news release.

The man sustained two deep lacerations on his right thigh, above the knee, officials said.

Surfers who were nearby at the time of the attack off 110 Kaanapali Shores Place reported seeing a gray, 4-foot-long shark nearby. County lifeguards said they believe it was a reef shark.

Meanwhile, ocean safety officers continued patrolling the West Maui shoreline from Black Rock to Honokowai, warning people to stay out of the water for a mile in either direction from the location of the attack along the shoreline.

Warning signs were posted, and the nearshore waters were expected to remain closed until noon Wednesday, officials said.

The injured man was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

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The shark attack was reported around 8:30 a.m. Surfers were ordered out of the water.

Firefighters described the victim's thigh wound as a 6-inch bite in the outline of a shark's jaws.